Need .284 build information please

[reubenski]

Well, I've been through all 28 pages of the 6.5 plus forum looking for information to help me plan my .284 build. I am not a benchrest or F class shooter. I do a lot of field shooting on steel targets, rapid target engagements at medium ranges under time, and Snap and Moving targets, therefore I'm looking to build a tactical rifle to replace my 300WM. The .284 looks like it will beat the 300WM out to 1K with less recoil, cheaper brass and bullets, and longer barrel life.

From what I've gathered, 2900fps is possible with 175-180gr using 30"+ barrels and very careful reloading. This is probably the optimum load for the .284 if you ca achieve it. The 162-168gr bullets are probably more reasonable at 2900fps with almost equal BCs. A 1:8.5 or 1:9" twist was recommended by R. Whitley for 180gr to lower pressure. COL is looking to be 3.0 to 3.2" so I'm guessing I will need a LA.

I would like to use a custom action featuring a heavy pinned or integral recoil lug, a mated or integral 20MOA rail, a left side bolt release, a one piece bolt/handle, a deep threaded receiver, and BO DM bottom metal.,$1K price range)

I would also like to use as short a barrel as possible to at least achieve 2900 w/ 162s. I've seen an increase in short barreled rifles using MTU style contours exhibiting fantastic accuracy. I think there may be something to their ability to maintain rigidity while hot.,I know, wrong site for that kind of thinking!)I'm thinking Broughton or Bartlein.

Does anyone have any recommendations of minimum barrel length for 162-168gr @ 2900, barrel type, twist rate, custom action recommendations, and box mag types?

I'm thinking GAP Templar barreled action using 24" Broughton 1:8", Manners T4, and BO DM bottom using 300WM mags. I do not know, however if GAPs Templar will accept 3.2 COL as a repeater or if .284 cases will ride properly in 300WM AI mags. Also, can someone illuminate the difference in 5R vs. 5C in regards to barrel designations. I know it has something to do with the shape of the lands, but not much more than that. Any advice is welcome. Thank you.

 

[TonyR]

I found these Gun Of The Week articles on this forum about the 284 for Benchrest and F-Class to be extremely helpful.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek053.html
http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek088.html


Good luck with your project.

 

[ronemus]

I shoot 162 gr A-Max and 154 gr Interbond bullets in my .284 at 2900+ fps from a 20" barrels. I get the best velocity using a case full of Reloder-19 in WW brass with 210M primers. The load is over the listed maximum charge, but doesn't show any pressure signs. The barreled action was built 28 years ago, intended for a hunting rifle; however, I didn't build the finished rifle until 2 years ago and recast it as a long-range/tactical rifle. It easily shoots sub-MOA with anything I feed it and performs well to 1000 yards. When I rebarrel, I'll probably use a 28" barrel to be able to back off on the loads a bit.

 

[reubenski]

I have read those articles. Ray, from Precision Rifle and Tool, is finishing a 6.5x47 for me right now. Top notch!

Thanks for review on your 20". I'd like to go fat 22" if I could with a Surefire brake, so that I might buy a can later.

 

[Rustystud]

reubenski:

I just finished barreling two .284 Win projects on Remington 700s. Both shot sub .4 five shot groups at 100 yards. I will be building one for John708 who post here in a few weeks when the new 30" Broughton, 1:9, 5C barrel gets here.This will be a 1000 yard gun project.

Rustystud

 

[Raptor]

Rustystud,
What type of velocity can I get using a Berger 168 and a 26" barrel??? Thanks!!

 

[Rustystud]

With Sierra 175s and 53.grains of H-4831 they were shooting 2750- 2765 fps. I did not shoot any 168s and the guns are gone to their owners now. I was not having any presure signs and thinks with Reloader -17 that 2950- 3000 would be obtainable.

180 Bergers are the load for 1000 yards, shot at 2750-2850.

Rustystud

 

[reubenski]

Hmmm....nice

 

[Raptor]

Rustystud,
Thanks for the info!! I was hoping for 2900+ with a 26" and a 168 so it seems reasonale after all. Could a person build one on a short action, keeping in mind you would not be able to use the mag. or eject a loaded round?? Would there be anyother draw backs?? Thanks!!

 

[reubenski]

Well, I was starting to get pretty discouraged with all the wait times for some of the components,stocks) and lo and behold I saw a .284 for sale by Longshot Rifles. It had a Manners T2A, Stiller TAC300, and a 28" Broughton #6, 1:9. So I snatched it up!

I'll try norma 6.5x 284 brass necked up with Sierra 175s, Berger 180s, and Hornady 162 Amax. I've got some RL17, CCI BR, and Federal Gold Match primers already. I'll let you all know what we're working with!

 

[TonyR]

I would like know how much RL-17 fills the 284 case compared to other powders. I plan to chamber a couple of new barrels in the 284 and I have been playing with possible loads for the 284 Norma and 284 Shehane using QuickLoad. The program does predict velocities similar to what has been reported here and elsewhere for all of the powders I have looked at including RL-17; however, QuickLoad estimates that, with RL-17, the case will be considerably less than full with the Berger 180gr VLD seated with the boat tail junction at the neck/shoulder junction. Max loads with the other powders I looked at are all full or close to full according to the program.

 

[Greywolf36]

The weapon Rustystud is talking about is mine and I'll post the results hopefully this weekend. I'll use both RE22 and H-4831sc
to produce 2790fps from a Broughton 26" 8.5tw and running the 180 Bergers at 3.00 C.O.L from a short action, as for ejecting a live round no issue seen as of yet while working on it today.

Brian

 

[Raptor]

Greywolf36,
Are you saying your 284 is built on a short action?? What action are you using?? Thanks!!!

 

[reubenski]

Tony R-

I have gone as high as 55grs of RL-17 with 162gr AMAXs and not compressed the powder, but reached high prssure. I'd say max case capacity of RL-17 is 56grs or so.

 

[jpo]

Any updates??

 

[RDavies]

I am now onto my 4th or 5th 284 barrel, shooting F class with them. My main advice would be not to get too caught up in the need for speed. The 284s shoot the 168s and 175s great at 2820 fps or so. Some of my barrels have prefered 2780fps, some 2840. The first thing I did with my first few 284s was try to get them up to 2950 fps that I have heard others getting, but cases got very sticky and accuraccy was not as good, more verticle than the slower tack driving loads. Maybe with the 162gn bullets, if your barrel is not too tight, then 2900-2950 might be OK.
If you live in an area that gets cool in winter, and want to shoot 180gn Bergers, I would definitley go for the faster 8.5' twist. The only barrel I had which would tack drive the 180s was the 8' twist one I had. The 9' twist ones would sometimes shoot them OK in warm weather, high altitude, but the 9' twist barrels shot great with 168gn pills.
CCI BR2 primers seem to be the primer of choice.